Illuminated spirit level



A. J. ELLISON ILLUMINATED SPIRIT LEVEL Jam 5, 3932 Filed April 1, 1929 JNVENTOR 'ATTORN EYS Patented Jan. 5, 1932 PATENT OFFICE AUGUST J". ELLISON, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN ILLUMINATED SPIRIT LEVEL Application filed April 1, 1929. Serial No. 351,489.

The present invention pertains to a novel illuminated spirit level for use by bricklayers, carpenters, etc. Much difficulty and eye strain are suffered bythese workers when working in dark places, and "it is to relieve this condition that the device is particularly designed. M

. Accordingly a spirit level of more or less ordinary construction is fitted with a flash light adapted to illuminate the sight or sights thereof at will. In the preferred embodiment, a single flash light is slidably mounted on the stock or body of the level and may thus be shifted to the particular sight that is to be 5 read.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the following description and in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device;

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a plan view, partly in section, of a modification;

gig. 5 is a longitudinal section thereof; an

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 66 of Fi 5.

Reference to these views will now be had by use of like characters which are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout. an In Figures 1, 2 and 3 is shown a spirit level including an illuminated stock or bod 1 preferably made of metal and of a frame 'ke character. The stock 1 carries a pair of spaced sights 2 and 3 containing spirit tubes 4. and 5. The tubes 4 are perpendicular to the tubes 5 so that the level may be used for testing either horizontals or perpendiculars.

In one of the longitudinal edges .of the stock 1 is formed a dovetail groove 6 through l0 out the len th of the stock as shown more clearly in Flg. 3. A slide 7 is movable along the stock by reason of its dovetail rib 8 which fits in the groove 6. On the slide 7 is mounted a flash light 9 having a lamp 1O 45 with a hood 11 and a switch button 12. It will now be apparent that the flash light 9 may be moved to whichever sight is in use and the latter illuminated by actuation of the switch button 12.

In the modification shown in Figs. 4, 5,

and 6, the stock has a pair of sights 21 'and 22 containing spirit tubes 23 and 24 respectively perpendicular to each other. Between the sights 21 and 22, the stock 20 is formed with a cavity 25. The sights include 55 rings 26, and the walls 27 of the cavity as well as the rings are apertured in alignment as at 28 to afford communication between the cavity and the sights.

In the cavity is laid a flash light 29 having 60 in its ends lamps 30 and 31 directed towards the sights 21 and 22 respectively. The flash light which is also provided with a pair of switch buttons 32 for separately operating the lamps.

The top of the cavity is closed by a cover plate 33 suitably secured to the stock as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. This plate is formed with a pair of slots 34 permitting sliding movement of stems 35 passed therethrough and secured to the switch buttons 32. Thus, the switch buttons are radially operable from the outer surface of the plate 33.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various alterations in the details of construction may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as indicated by the appended claims. 30

What I claim is 1. An illuminated spirit level comprising a stock, a plurality of sights and spirit tubes carried thereby, said stock having a longitudinal groove along said sights, a slide 35 having a rib received in said groove, and a flash light carried by said slide.

2. An illuminated spirit level comprising a stock, a plurality of sights and spirit tubes carried thereby, said stock having a longitudinal groove at an edge thereof and along said sights, a slide having a rib received in said groove, and a flash light carried by said slide.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

AUGUST J. ELLISON. 

